Sex addiction to be formally recognised as a psychiatric illness

Sex addiction might have once been seen as an excuse for high profile philanderers, but the condition is about to become formally recognised as a psychiatric disorder.

The ‘addiction’, in which sufferers have relentless sexual urges that feel out of one’s control, is being discussed by experts for inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) publishes the manual, which is considered the definitive guide to what constitutes a genuine psychological disorder rather than an imaginary one.

Despite recognition by the APA, the NHS does not currently recognise
sex addiction in Britain but some British psychiatrists have reported
seeing up to three ‘sufferers’ a year.

While in the U.S, some American psychiatrists have claimed to treat one or two sex addicts per week.

Sex addiction became highly publicised when celebrities such as Tiger
Woods and Russell Brand sought treatment for the condition.

Tiger Woods checked in for treatment in 2010 after admitting cheating
on his wife Elin Nordegren with a string of different women

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Gambling addiction has recently been classified as a mental illness in Britain and now the health service is starting a preliminary project for sex addiction treatment.

And the recent discussion of sex addiction could spark a boom in drug companies re-packaging anti-depressants and sex-drive-suppressants, according to experts.

The Priory chain of clinics say its patients: ‘work on themselves for eight or nine hours a day in group therapy, in individual sessions with their psychiatrists and with a wide range of trained therapists.’

Earlier this month Australian psychologists reported a rise in the number of patients being referred to them seeking treatment for the condition too.

Clinical psychologist and sex therapist Dr. Janet Hall in Melbourne said patients with sex addiction problems now make up the majority of her clients.

She says celebrity treatment has contributed to the rise and said: ‘It’s saying ‘if the famous and wealthy are addicts and get into trouble, I am not alone nor am I a horrible nasty person.'